There are many monks under the age of eighteen and most of these boys are from rural areas of Nepal, particularly the mountain areas bordering Tibet. From an early age, they learn to develop the good habits and discipline that will serve them and others throughout their lifes.</see>

There are many monks under the age of eighteen and most of these boys are from rural areas of Nepal, particularly the mountain areas bordering Tibet. From an early age, they learn to develop the good habits and discipline that will serve them and others throughout their lifes.</see>

*<see name="Pullahari Monastery & Retreat Centre" alt="" address="P.O. Box 11015, Jagdol, Ward Kopan, Kathmandu, Nepal" directions="" phone="+977 1 4498196" url="http://www.jamgonkongtrul.org/pullamona_a.htm" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Pullahari is the seat of His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche in Nepal, located in the foothills north of the Great Stupa of Boudhanath. In the secluded serenity with spacious views, the age-old tradition of prayers, rituals, training, and education of monks continues in the monastery, and also in the Mahamudra retreat centre. In addition, residential programs for lay practitioners are offered at the Rigpe Dorje Institute, and the facilities for individual retreat are open throughout the year.</see>

Revision as of 13:03, 23 June 2011

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath[6] is a suburb of Kathmandu and home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Boudhanath is also known as Boudha, pronounced 'Bo-da'.

Contents

Understand

In 1979, Boudhanath became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and today, it remains an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis, as well as a popular tourist site. The Great Stupa of Boudhanath is the focal point of the district. There are over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. The culture, remains very much Himalayan with a strong presence of Tibetans and Sherpas, and this can be evidenced by the number of restaurants selling momos and thukpa and other Tibetan favorites. In fact, when traveling into the area, it is often the sight of maroon clad Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns that indicates you are getting close. Boudhanath remains a fascinating area with many Buddhist temples and eccentric characters. It is a very spiritual area. As a daily ritual, many people walk three laps (or more) around the stupa while repeating the mantra 'Om mani padme hum' either quietly or aloud.

Recommended reading

Boudhanath: The Great Stupa by Keith Dowman. A translation of the legend of the great stupa as disclosed in a hidden treasure teaching of Guru Rinpoche. Wikipedia has an informative http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudhanath

Get in

Taxis: From airport, pay no more than 150rs (for pre-paid, expect to pay much more, but it saves the hassle of bargaining). From Thamel, pay no more than 130rs. These prices are max. If your purpose for visiting Boudhanath is to see the Boudha stupa, then tell the taxi driver you wish to go to Boudha Gate. This is the main entrance to the stupa. There are also a number of local buses and vans that carry passengers from all over Kathmandu Valley to Chabihil for 15 to 20 rupees. From Chabihill it's a 15 min. walk, or take one of the many buses/vans to Boudha for another 15 rupees.

Get around

Most of the sites of interest are located near the stupa and can easily be reached on foot.

See

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa. According to legend, Boudhanath Stupa was built by an an old poultry woman who asked the king for land to construct a shrine to the Buddha. The king agreed, and offered her as much land as she could cover with the skin of a water buffalo. The woman proceeded to cut a buffalo hide into thin strips, and placed them end to end to form a huge circumference. The king realized that he had been tricked by the old woman, but he adhered to his word, and the stupa was constructed according to these dimensions. Nowadays, the stupa is the most popular site for Buddhists in Nepal, and throughout the day pilgrims can be seen circumambulating the structure chanting mantras. It is especially spectacular at night when adorned with butter lamps. Remember to walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction and also to spin the prayer wheels clockwise. There is a small entry fee to enter the stupa area, though this is waived for guests of hotels located at the other side of the stupa. See also: Sacred sites of the Indian sub-continent

Shechen Monastery, located in the alleys near the stupa. A very spacious and beautiful temple founded by the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. There is a garden restaurant near the monastery guest house.

Khawalung Monastery, Boudha-Simaltar (take a taxis from Hyatt Hotel about 10 mins drive), ☎977-1-4820205. A beautiful Tibetan Monastery near Boudhanath Stupa. It is inaugrated by Trulshik Rinpoche and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche in October 2005. The monastery has an elementary and a training school. It consists of monks from remote region of Nepal and Tibet. There are many exquisite Tibetan Buddhist wall paintings.

Kopan Monastery, North of Boudhanath (Go north from the Stupa - ask anyone - 40 min. walk or take taxi), ☎977 - 1 - 4821 268, [1]. Kopan is a thriving monastery of 360 monks, mainly from Nepal and Tibet, and a spiritual oasis for hundreds of visitors yearly from around the world. Nearby is Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, home to 380 nuns. Both the monastery and the nunnery are under the spiritual guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and the care of the abbot, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lhundrup Rigsel. And it is the wellspring of the FPMT, a network of some 140 centers and activities world-wide, themselves expressions of the Buddha activity of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Kopan offers the perfect environment for study and meditation for serious students, casual visitors, and retreaters. Email: [email protected]

Thrangu Monastery, Boudha, Nepal (facing the Great Stupa of Boudhanath), ☎+977-1-4470027, [2]. These days, Thrangu Monastery is the center of monastic life for nearly 250 monks. They receive training in ritual practices, study Dharma & learn to read and write in Tibetan & English. The older monks take turns yearly learning different jobs in the monastery. The monks chant special prayers as requested & often go to private homes to do pujas for the deceased, for new homes, etc. There are many monks under the age of eighteen and most of these boys are from rural areas of Nepal, particularly the mountain areas bordering Tibet. From an early age, they learn to develop the good habits and discipline that will serve them and others throughout their lifes.

Dilyak Monastery, PO Box No. 4512, Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal, ☎(977) 1-478-432 / 478-320, [3]. Dilyak Dabzang Monastery is the oldest original Karma Kagyu monastery in Boudha, Nepal. The monastery was established by Very Ven. 7th Dabzang Rinpoche year 1963 near the great stupa of Boudha.

Pullahari Monastery & Retreat Centre, P.O. Box 11015, Jagdol, Ward Kopan, Kathmandu, Nepal, ☎+977 1 4498196, [4]. Pullahari is the seat of His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche in Nepal, located in the foothills north of the Great Stupa of Boudhanath. In the secluded serenity with spacious views, the age-old tradition of prayers, rituals, training, and education of monks continues in the monastery, and also in the Mahamudra retreat centre. In addition, residential programs for lay practitioners are offered at the Rigpe Dorje Institute, and the facilities for individual retreat are open throughout the year.

Do

Circumambulate the stupa. This is the main activity of pilgrims and tourists alike. One lap is approx. 150 meters. At the far side from the entrance it is possible to walk up on to the stupa itself.

Photography. The stupa and its immediate surroundings are very photogenic. Please don't take pictures of people without their permission.

Monastery tour. You can generally freely wander around Buddhist monasteries, though when doing so keep a low profile, don't smoke, turn off cell phones, lower your voice, and bear in mind that they are sanctuaries for inner practice, not tourist attractions. Please practice good manners and ask someone on site for permission before entering; also please get permission before taking pictures too.

Buy

There are many handicraft stores located all around the stupa. Prices are comparable to those in Thamel, but there is a little less variety. However, naturally for Buddhist related items - statues, prayer flags, Tibetan incense, etc - Boudhanath is the better place.

Eat

Stupa View Restaurant is a vegeterian restaurant that, as the name implies, offers good views over the stupa. It's a little expensive (think 200 NPR + for a meal), but the quality of the food and service is good.

Three Sisters also offers views overlooking the stupa and kora. The food is cheaper than at Stupa View (think 120 NPR + for a meal), but the quality of the food and service is also a little lower.

Regency is in the back streets about a two minute walk from the stupa (with the stupa on your right, turn left into alley after passing Stupa View Restaurant, and take the next right. The restaurant is few doors down on the right) and is where many locals eat. The food is good and you can easily satisfy your appetite for well under 100Rs.

Shechen Guest House (see 'sleep' section). The restaurant at the guest house is open to non-residents and offers wholesome vegetarian food in the quiet of an enclosed garden.

Stupa Dining Restaurant With Garden, Boudha, Dhara Tole, before turning to Hyatt Road. Local restaurant with good, clean, cheap food, with live music by staff on request!

Drink

Saturday Cafe over looking the stupa at Boudha has good ground coffee, and excellent cakes, which you can enjoy surrounded by books in the second floor book shop or on the roof-top terrace.

Sleep

Budget

Samdrup Guest House, Tel:+977 1 478568. E-mail:[email protected], mostly used by Tibetans on pilgrimage or visiting family, and so is a very cheap, but basic hotel (though more deluxe accommodation is available on the upper floors). The hotel is conveniently located across from the main gate at Boudha Stupa. There is a gift shop on the 1st floor.

Mid range

Shechen Guest House[7]. Tel:+977 1 4479009 in the grounds of Shechen Monastery in Boudha has clean and good quality rooms with private bathrooms for about 15 USD. The guesthouse also has garden with restaurant/coffee shop facilities, and is within a five minute walk of Bodhnath Stupa.

Splurge

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, PO Box 9609, Taragaon, Boudha (10 Km from the city centre of Kathmandu, on the road to Boudhanath Stupa), ☎+977 1 449 1234 ([email protected]), [5]. 5 star hotel with 290 rooms and suites. The hotel offers a health and beauty spa, swimming pool, wading pool for children and an outdoor whirlpool. The hotel is 4 Km from Tribhuvan International Airport and within walking distance of Bodhanath Stupa.

Respect

Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.

Go bare foot within temple buildings.

Circumambulate the stupa and other sacred objects in a clock-wise direction.

Preserve the peace and tranquility.

Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.

Do not take pictures of people without their permission.

Stay healthy

Medical attention. Shechen Monastery operates an efficient, hygienic and friendly clinic offering treatments using Western and traditional Tibetan medicine, homeopathy and also sometimes massage and acupuncture. It is a good place to seek treatment for both acute and chronic ailments. The clinic is in an alley across from Shechen Guest House. Fatima Healing Centre helps with major and minor health issues; they have Chinese Accupuncture, herbs + massage. It's a 15 min. walk North of the Stupa.

Get out

Pashupatinath. An important temple to Shiva in the form of Lord of Animals. See monkeys, cremation, sadhus and a holy cave. The temple is a short taxi ride, or 20 minute walk past several temples, from Boudhanath. While entrance to the temple is allowed for Hindus only, the surrounding forest area provides much to explore.

Contact

There are many internet cafes on and around the kora (the walking area that surrounds the stupa) - Dharana Cyberspace, is an especially clean facility with fast computers.